Common Names

Parts Usually Used

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Water avens is a hairy perennial plant; its woody rootstock produces
a simple, erect stem from 1-3 feet high with small, sessile, simple
or three-cleft leaves. From the rootstock also grow long-petioled,
hairy, pinnate leaves with three large terminal, coarsely double-toothed
leaflets and one or two pairs of small lower leaflets. At the top
of the stem grow from 3-5 purplish flowers on short pedicels, blooming
from May to July. Some varieties have purplish sepals but rose-colored
to yellow petals. Blossoms are followed by hooked fruits.

Another variety: Rough avens (Geum virginianum) and G. japonicum,
both used medicinally like water avens.

Uses

The rootstock makes a tasty and effective remedy for diarrhea
and dysentery when taken
with milk and sugar. It also acts to improve
appetite and digestion, dyspepsia.
An infusion made from the whole plant can be used to clear up respiratory
congestion and to counteract nausea.

Powdered root was once used as astringent for hemorrhage, fevers,
and leukorrhea.